Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-11-25
The Mormon Counties.

some portions OF Idaho. 1t is rom
the annual report of Silas w. Moody,
territorial superintendent of public
instruction.
Much trouble has been experienced
and much more is to be apprehended
in connection with the problem pre-
sented under the existing laws of the
territory and the sentiments of the
members of the organization known
as ''The Church of Jesus Christ OF Lat
ter Day Saints" hostile to the carry
ing out OF the provisions of the law
applicable to the public schools.
The board Of school trustees is
composed of three members, one Of
whom goes out Of Office, and his sue
cessor is elected ON the first Monday
of September of each year, in each
district. Among other requirements
Of the law, each incoming trustee
takes an official oath in which is EN-
bodied the test oath.
In certain portions Of Bear Lake,
Bingham, Cassia, and Oneida coun-
ties there are school districts in
which there are no "Gentiles" elegi-
BILE either for election or appointment
as trustees. The entire community
is Mormon. No Mormon can take
the official oath without danger of
conviction of perjury. Hence but
+ two trustees remain IN Office in sach
districts. Next year there will be
I but one trustee, and where there is
/ but one trustee the school cannot be
carried on. In many districts ! am
informed, the latter is the case al
ready arising from the fact of vacan-
cy caused by death or removal OF one OF
the trustees prior to the last election
The school superintendent Of the
above named counties Except oil
Bear Lake, have, in the discretion
given them by the law, held that
person who belongs to an organiza
ton which teaches things defined By
our statutes to be crimes, as matter
Of performance of religious duty, II
not a law. abiding citizen or a pe'sol
Of good moral character, and there
fore they refuse to license any mem
Der of that organization to teach il
our public schools. The Mormon
represented by reputed leaders o
their organization, have notified TIN
office that in cases whore Scientific
teachers are employed they will nc
permit their children TO attend tn
public school, but will either caus
schools to be started by subscription
y, wherein their children can be undo
the instruction of Mormon teacher
y
= or else keep their children at hom
Il Tho issue seems to be, either thu
II the schools of ldaho,in those district
!. shall be subject to the control an
supervision of the priesthood of til
so-called Mormon church, or that the
N must be closed Their leaders set u
N nc reasonable excuse for this demar
> or threat, nor do they allege that gel
" tile teachers endeavor to enforce an
,e sectarian, political, or denomination
~ doctrines IN the schools which the
"a children attend.
From an extended and patient i
vestigntion | am sasished that Il
~ real reason why they do not wi
IL their children to attend non Mormt
N and non-sectarian public schools
"a that they do not wish them taug
)" that obedience to the law of the Ian
hs is one of the evidences of go,
~ citizenship, or that the &C
a' which tho Mormon church d
VI dominates religious duty or pri,
:" lego are, in fact, crimes agains, Il
as law Of the land, one that they fe
" that under the instruction Of uon-se
:" tartan teachers the rising generatio
y which is now taught by the prize,
~ hood that yiolators OF the law wh,
OF punished are "martyrs for oonscien
y sake" may learn the contrary to
y true.
So far rs | am advised, every {
fort has been made by the superb
dents to keep the schools open in Il
cordance with the law. 1t is ma
A. ter of deep regret that the lnnoce
in children must be made to suffer
= the fanatcism and dsloyalty of th,
of parents. With every sentiment al
h. desire to extend the facilities and a
to vantages of non-sectarian pub
IL school education TO all the childre
m without regard to the religious, poll